HAMILTON, PIERPONT M.
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air
Corps. Place and date: Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942. Entered
service at: New York, N.Y. Born: 3 August 1898, Tuxedo Park, N.Y. G.O. No:
4, 23 January 1943.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On
8 November 1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, Lt. Col. Hamilton volunteered to
accompany Col. Demas Craw on a dangerous mission to the French commander, designed to
bring about a cessation of hostilities. Driven away from the mouth of the Sebou River by
heavy shelling from all sides, the landing boat was finally beached at Mehdia Plage
despite continuous machinegun fire from 3 low-flying hostile planes. Driven in a light
truck toward French headquarters, this courageous mission encountered intermittent firing,
and as it neared Port Lyautey a heavy burst of machinegun fire was delivered upon the
truck from pointblank range, killing Col. Craw instantly. Although captured immediately,
after this incident, Lt. Col. Hamilton completed the mission .
